Manfred Tessaring graduated 1972 in National Economics and obtained his doctorate in economics of education in 1979. Until 1996 he worked with the Institute for Employment Research (IAB) of the Federal Employment Agency in Nuremberg, Germany, where he was executive scientific director. Since 1996 he is working with Cedefop in Thessaloniki, Greece, where he is Head of the Area ‘Research and Policy Analysis’.

His main responsibilities include:

• research in vocational education and training,
• identification and anticipation of skills needs,
• analysis of progress achieved to implement the Copenhagen objectives for vocational education and training.

His work is documented by a number of publications. He is engaged in several European research projects and networks and is member of European and national committees.